PP698 - Card 2

 Welcome & thanks for stopping by.

Since I loved the Paper Players Color Challenge this week PP698 I decided to make a second card for the challenge.  I had some elements left over from yesterday's card that didn't work for my card idea and thought why not put them to good use.

This card is very different from the sweet little mouse card from yesterday's post.  I hope you like it just as much.

For this card I used the mushroom image from Unity's  KOM (Love and Good Vibes)   I just loved those mushrooms and the fact that they have little hearts on them makes them even cuter.  I was able to get this kit for my participation as a featured Unity GIU in June.

For this card I changed up my colors instead of Real Red I decided to use Poppy Parade card Stock for the background.  Next I layered that with a piece of textured paper from my stash.  It's hard to see the texture in the first photo so I'll include a picture at the end of the post showing the texture the black piece has.

The focal image was colored again with Prisma Premier Color Pencils and blended with Gamsol.  I then cut the image out with a new to me die from Unity (Scallops and Circles) I edged the circle with some Smoky Slate ink and a blending stump.

I already had the Smoky Slate fishtail die cut and the sentiment which is from the (Lil'Bloomer) stamp set used on yesterday's card.

I had another set of hearts punched and stapled but since I changed the red color I ended up punching new ones for this card.

That's it for the details on this card.  It's also going on NBUS#64 since I used a new die and a new stamp.

Have a great day & happy Stamping!

PP698 - Color Challenge and NBUS #

 Hello. - Thanks for stopping by.

Today I am sharing a card that I created for the Paper Players PP698.

This week was a color challenge (Black, Grey, Red and White).  This is one of my favorite color combos so I just had to play along.

Here is the card that I created for this challenge.  Since it uses new stamps and this was their first inking I'm also sharing with NBUS#64

Here is the card that I made:

Details:  Stamps used: Unity (Lil' Bloomer) Don't you think that little mouse is just the cutest thing? I sure do.

Before I go into further details I want to let you know that Unity stamps is also going to be selling "some" of their stamps now in Photopolymer (Clear) stamps!  I'm excited about that and I hope you will be as well.  They will continue to have their finely detailed line available only in the Red Rubber but now you will have options.

Back to the card now:  Card Stock Used, Basic Black, Basic White, Real Red, and Smoky Slate.

Dies: Unity Scallops and Rectangles, Fishtail die MFT

Punches: Retired SU heart punch and McGill Corner punch (for the tiny heart)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Prisma Color Premier Pencils, Gamsol, Blending Stubs

Staples, Foam tape, Lustre Brush (Scrapbook.com) for the splatters.

That's it for this card.  - Again I appreciate your visit and comments.

Have a wonderful day. 

GIU Winners

Hello and Welcome. 

First off a huge thank you to everyone who left comments on my blog last week during my time as the featured GIU (Growing in Unity) stamper. It meant a lot to me.

Now for the announcement of my winners:

From day #2 - Leslie Miller and from Day #5 Angy Hughes. - I used a random generator after numbering all my comments.

Here is how to claim your prize:  "please email kelli@unitystampco.com to claim your gift credit within 2 weeks"

be sure to include:  "winner from "Ida's GIU week."  in the subject line of your email.

Thanks again for stopping by.  I hope you will visiting again.

Growing in Unity - Day 5

 Welcome!  This week has went by quickly. - We are on my final day as a GIU (Growing in Unity) featured stamper.

So let's get started on today's card.

This card features the Unity stamp set,  Funny Farm.  This set is fun and great for those cards when you really don't feel the need or desire to do a lot of coloring.

The card base is, Real Red cs (SU) which I layered a panel of Daffodil Delight cs (SU) that had been embossed with a Chicken Wire embossing folder, (Cuttlebug). This particular one is retired but there are other chicken wire embossing folders out there. Plus if you'd rather use a stamp Unity has a couple of chicken wire background stamps. - I layered a piece of designer paper from Unity (Country Lovin') over the chicken wire card stock.  Next up I stamped the animal image on Crumb Cake cs with Real Red ink and used a blender brush and Crumb cake ink to distress the edges.  I cut the image out with Unity's (Scallops and Rectangles) dies. I glued the panel down and added enamel dots (Paper Studio).  The sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black in on Basic White cs and cut with an SU Stylish Die then mounted with foam tape to complete the card.

Since it's my final day and I already had the stamps and papers out I decided to create a second card with the same stamp set.

For this card I went with Crumb Cake as the card base.  Then I embossed a panel of Real Red cs with the chicken wire embossing folder and glued it over the top of the patterned paper and glued that panel down.  Next I stamped the animal image in Memento Tuxedo black ink on Daffodil delight cs and smudged on some Daffodil Delight ink.  I added just red enamel dots this time.  The sentiment was stamped with the Memento ink and distressed with a distressing tool and the ink pad.  Both the sentiment and the image panel were popped up with foam tape.

So that's the end of my time as the featured GIU stamper.  I've really enjoyed your visits and comments and had a blast creating my cards.

Don't forget to leave a comment for you chance at a $20 Unity store credit.  Winners will be drawn on Monday and posted to my blog and also on the Unity Facebook Page.

Growing in Unity - Day 4

Ho, Ho, Ho...No it's not Christmas but today's Growing in Unity card is:

I decided to use some of my stamps that had not yet been inked up.  I bought this fun snowman stamp, In the Meadow way back in December of 2021 and had yet to use it.  I know, "shame on me!"

I also wanted to use another background stamp that I had yet to ink up.  This one is, Grit and Glint Snowflake.

Some close-ups of a few of the details on this card.

Card Stock: Shaded Spruce, Basic White,  and Soft Seafoam.

The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and edges with the Soft Seafoam ink. I also used a small sponge blending tool to add color to the snowman's scarf and hat band.  

The background stamp was stamped with the Seafoam ink and I also stamped a section of a piece of Seafoam card stock with the same ink and cut a snowflake out (Memento snowflake dies).

Other items used on this card: Circle dies, fishfail die, Green Gems, sparkly star brad.

So that's it for today's card. - Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a $20 store credit at Unity.

Tomorrow will be my final day as the featured GIU so please be sure to check back in and see what I have created.

Thanks for stopping by.

Growing in Unity - Day 3

 Howdy! - Hope you are having as much fun this week as I have been having. 

Today is Day 3 of my Growing in Unity week and I have a fun card for you today.

If you have visited my blog before you may have seen this card already. Click to enlarge:  You can view that post HERE.

But guess what?  I just couldn't resist making another card with that stinkin' cute mouse!  This set is Tiny Buckaroo.

This time I did not fussy cut the image out.  Instead I stamped it on white card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol.

Then I used a blender brush to distress the edges with blue ink and I added some black splatter using a Lustre brush.  Next I created a tag with some background paper , (Barnyard Blowout) from Unity. The sentiment was also stamped on a piece of the paper pack and cut out with a circle die from SU (Stylish Dies) I used some twine to wrap around the tag, a old retired SU star brad, and a couple of different star punches.  The tag portion was mounted on the card with foam tape.

Card stock colors, Real Red, Night of Navy and Basic White. (SU). Remember you can use any of these colors from whatever company you like.

Don't forget to leave a comment because at the end of the week I will be drawing 2 names from all comments through out the week for a chance at a $20 credit with the Unity store.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for another fun card creation.

Growing in Unity - Day 2

 Hi,  Welcome back. - Today is Day 2 of my week as a featured,

Growing in Unity stamper.

Here is today's card: Don't forget to leave a comment if you want to have a chance at the $20 store credit prize.

For this card I used a stamp from the April KOM (Kit of the Month)

Before I go into the details of how this card was created I want to say if you are not a member of the KOM you are really missing out.  What a great bargain these kits are.  So many wonderful stamps in each kit.  Click on the link and you will see just how many stamps there are. - Another wonderful thing about Unity Kit memberships is that you are no longer required to purchase every single month.  You can view the kits and go to your account and skip any month that you may not be able to purchase a kit or if the kit just isn't your style (which rarely happens to me).

Okay on to the card:

I chose to use my Copic Markers to color this image.  I'm still learning how to use them and as there is no one around who teaches a class nearby I'm just going by trial and error with them.

I also wanted to showcase one of the BOTM (Background of the Month Stamps. This one is, Woodgrain Whisper

The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink on Basic White card stock and colored with Copic markers (E13, 15, 19, YG09, and YG01).  That background stamp was stamped with Pecan Pie ink on BW cs.  I cut a portion off and layered it over a piece of Unity designer paper (yes, they have awesome paper too!) This one is Rainbow Alcohol. I also used a retired SU stamp, Itty Bitty Backgrounds to lightly stamp some blue dots on the image panel.

Other items used on card: Oval Dies (MFT), Retired Apple Green grosgrain ribbon, a heart punch, Fishtail Dies, glitter and foam tape.

Growing in Unity - Day 1

 Hello and Welcome!

Today is my first day as the featured GIU stamper (Growing in Unity).

I was super excited to be given this opportunity and I hope you will enjoy the cards that I share this week.  You will be eligible to receive a $20.00 store credit by leaving a comment on my Blog post (no anonymous comments - you must leave a name to be eligible for the prize).  

So let's get started on Day #1:

For this card I used the adorable (Cheese Chat) stamp set from Unity Stamps.

I colored the images with Prismacolor Pencils and blended with Gamsol. I added some sparkle to the cheese grater using a Wink of Stella pen.  

I embossed the white panel with a Dot embossing folder and brayered ink over it. Sentiment was stamped on yellow card stock.

Images were mounted with foam tape.

Details: Card Base - Basic Black - Images stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Basic White cs. (SU) 

I used a combination of different dies for the images.  The Postage Stamp die is (Unity) Other dies are from SU and MFT.

Please note that the Dark Yellow card stock (Summer Sun) and ink are a retired SU color but you could do this card with any inks you choose.

I tried to get a decent shot of the shimmer from the Wink of Stella pen. It gave the card that little extra punch.

I hope you enjoyed your visit today and will come back to see my next card. Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance at that $20 store credit with Unity stamps.

 

Freshly Made Sketches #640 and NBUS#63

 Hello & Welcome. - Yep I'm actually posting a card today!

Thought I would share the card I made my hubby for Father's Day.  I decided to use the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #640 for my card. - Since it also features new stamps/paper I'll be posting for NBUS#63.

Here is my card:

Details:

Stamp Set: Saddle Up (Carta Bella)

Paper: Cowboys (Carta Bella)

Sentiment Stamp: SU

Card Stock: Early Espresso, Basic White, Very Vanilla & Misty Moonlight.

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Prismacolor Pencils

Circle Die, Fishtail Die.

Be sure to stop back in tomorrow for something fun and a chance to win a prize.

PP689 - Color Challenge.

 Hello & Welcome.  Before I get to my card today,  I want to say thank you to Claire for choosing my card for last weeks challenge as A Cut Above winner.  You can see that card here.

I'm back today with a card for the Paper Players Color Challenge,

PP689

Here is the card that I created for this challenge.

This is a brand new (to me) stamp set and stencil - I received it as a gift for Mother's Day so this will also be going into NBUS#62

Card Base:  Lost Lagoon, Scallop Layer: Highland Heather.

Inks:  Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia and I added Bubble Bath. The image and sentiment were stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink on Basic White card stock.  I used ink pads and blending brushes for the stenciled portion and a water brush and ink pads to color the flower.  Stamps and Stencil (Tim Holtz Mixed Media)

Other items used: Dies (Unity - Scallops and Rectangles)

Wink of Stella brush for the center of the flower. Enamel dots (Paper Studio) and foam tape.

This shows some of the shimmer from the Wink of Stella brush.

Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate your visits and comments.

Have a great day.

Paper Players #688 and Freshly Made Sketches#635

 Welcome! - I've been busy stamping lately but can't show you just yet what I've been working on.  However I can show you this card that I made yesterday for a couple of the challenges this week.

PP688  Theme challenge: Animal Antics and the FMS#635

Below is the card that I made for these challenges.

I had a lot of fun with this card.  Stamps used: (Unity - Tiny Buckaroo).  Isn't that mouse so adorable.

Card Stock: Night of Navy, Real Red, Basic White (SU)

Patterned Paper (Unity - Barn Yard Blowout)

Colored Pencils (Prisma) and blended with Gamsol.

Other: Large Star Punch - retired SU

Small Star Punch - source unknown

Banner Die (SU stylish Dies)

Enamel Dot (Paper Studio)

Foam Tape.

Entered for Unity Birthday challenge. and NBUS#62

This is going to be hubby's birthday card this year.

Create Your Own Background and Color Throwdown #790

 Welcome. 

Today I'm sharing a card that I created for my monthly challenge with my friend, TK (Time 4 Kards) and the current Color Throwdown#790 

For the challenge with TK I choose,  Create Your Own background.  I went in search of some background techniques that I had never tried before.  I found several and decided on the Paper Towel background for my card.  You can find this technique on 
You Tube HERE  This was my very first time trying this technique.  While mine didn't come out exactly like the video I decided to use it anyway.

Here is the card I created.

Details:  Card Stock:  Coastal Cabana, Basic Black and Basic White.

Inks:  Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Memento Tuxedo Black.

To create the background I glued a paper towel with a pattern down on to a piece of card stock.  Next I used my ink pads and blending brushes to add the color onto the white paper towel.  In the video Gina used small ink cubes lightly brushed over the paper towel which leaves some of the white from the towel still showing.  Using the blending brushes creates a bit heavier color onto the paper towel but since I don't own any small ink cubes I did the best I could with what I had on hand.

My image is from Unity Stamps (Joy and Brighter Days) which is brand new to me so I'm going to add this on to NBUS 

I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored it with Prisma colored pencils and blended it with Gamsol.  I added the sentiment for the same stamp set and some green enamel dots (Paper Studio) to complete my card.  -  I would try this technique again as I like the rainbow like effect and hopefully someday I'll have some small cubes to work with instead of full sized ink pads.

Please stop by the Color Throwdown and of course TK's wonderful blog.  You can do so by clicking on the links I've provided.

Thanks for stopping by.

NBUS#61

Missing in Action

  Howdy,  Just a heads up I will be missing on the blog for a few days.  We are upgrading our computer system.  Hope to be back visiting you all soon.

Inspired by challenge with TK

 

 Hello and Welcome!

So my friend, TK and I are back again this month with another challenge.

She picked this photo:

of a trio of cakes.  We could do our theme based on cake, color, theme etc...

I had hoped to do more then one card for this challenge but time got away with me this week and I only managed to get one card completed for the challenge.

Here is what I came up with:  You can pretty much figure out where I got my inspiration from.

This is a relatively simple CAS style card (something I tend to struggle with).  I got the idea for my design from this card and of course the cake with the sunset colors and the elephants.

I didn't have an elephant stamp (that I knew where it was) on hand so I opted for a Giraffe instead.  

For this card I started with a card base of Basic Black, Then a layer of Calypso Coral that I distressed the edges with Calypso Coral ink as well.  

Then I cut out a square on a piece of scrap paper and used that as a mat for sponging my colored square.  Inks used were: Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Calypso Coral.  I also distressed the edges with the Crushed curry ink.

Next I stamped the tree and giraffe in Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I stamped the sentiment with the same ink and die cut it out with an SU Stylish Die and an old SU circle punch.  That was mounted on top of the square with foam tape.

To complete the card I added some enamel dots from Paper Studio.

The stamp set is Hero Arts.

Be sure to stop in on TK's blog:  Time4Kards to see what she was inspired by.

Thanks for stopping in and have a beautiful Easter Weekend.

Birthday Greeting

 Hello and Welcome - Long time no post seems to be my motto anymore - But I'm back today to share a card I made awhile back to send someone for their birthday and then never mailed it.

So for this card I used a cake stamp from (Annabelle Stamps) which no longer exists.  I used a birthday embossing folder (Cuttlebug-Provo Craft) which I also believe is not in business anymore.

The candle punch is, (EK success).  The paper is from, (DCWV - Grade School stack). Enamel dots (Paper Studio).

Colors used: Granny Apple Green, Real Red, Basic White and Lavender Lace*retired. Circle punches (Nestabilitie dies and SU Stylish Die). Foam tape and some yellow glitter on the flame were also used.

I hope to have more cards to share in the future but stamping time has been limited lately.

Thanks for stopping by.

Also my new banner while it's not stamping related I created it on AI Bing and added some stuff using BeFunky.  I'll try to get a card banner back up soon but I thought this was cute.

Unity Kraft Challenge

 Welcome. - I'm finally getting around to posting a few cards.

Today's cards are for the Unity Stamp Company Kraft Challenge.

 If you want to view the other cards for this challenge click on the link HERE

 

Here are the cards I made for the challenge:

 

For this card I used this adorable mouse/dandelion image from Unity April 2023 KOM.  The sentiment was a set gifted me for Christmas.  You can purchase it here on Amazon.
 

Card Base: SU Pecan Pie, Kraft base is a retired SU card stock that had little bits of colored speckles in it.  The DP  was purchased at JoAnn's.

I used a border punch (SU - retired) and some lavender cs (SU retired).

Ink Pad: Pecan Pie SU

Colored Pencils.

Card #2:

All details are the same as the card about - Except the stamps and sentiment.  These are from Unity February 2023 KOM

I hope you enjoyed these cards.  It was fun to be able to sit down and craft for a change.

Challenge #2 - Inspired By

 Welcome!  

Today I'm sharing a card I made for a challenge with my friend, TK (Time 4 Kards).  This is our second challenge.  Last month we did, Card Kits and made cards from each others kits.  

This month we did an "Inspiration" challenge.  - I found a picture:

And the idea was that we each made a card based on inspiration from this photo.  There were so many different ways this could be interpreted.

I admit that I struggled with this card (a lot) even though there were so many possibilities for inspiration.  I'm still in a bit of a stamping "funk" so hopefully you'll see the inspiration in my card.

The things that caught my eye were the colors and the palm fronds.

I also liked the animal print but alas did not have anything that would have worked for that.  Instead I used a tan color for the base of my card. (SU Pecan Pie).  I layered that with an embossed piece of light green card stock.  I used the Palm Leaves embossing folder from Cuttlebug (retired).  My paper was a pattern piece of with tropical leaves and blooms.  I liked that it had hints of pink/red in it as the inspiration photo did as well.

I die cut a tropical leaf in a darker green.  The Aloha sentiment was from the set that TK gave me on our last challenge.

I've long since gotten really mixed up on my old SU colors so I can't exactly say what they are.  I do know I used (Island Indigo - retired SU) ink for the sentiment.  

Dies: SU Stylish Dies, Punch (Optic Dot - Martha Stewart), Small blue gems.

Please stop by Terri's blog (TIME 4 KARDS) and check out how she was inspired by the photo.

PP675 - To the One I Love and NBUS#59

 Welcome. - I finally got around to working on a card for one of the challenges this week.

Today I'm joining the Paper Players for PP675 theme challenge.

 

 NBUS #59

Here is the card that I made:

 

 

 For this card I used a new die (Cats) that I received as a gift and I don't know the company name.  I also used a sentiment stamp from Hero Arts (love, stamp & cut - DC175) for the first time.

Details: Card Stock: Basic Black, Basic White, Real Red and Pink

Cat Die, Heart Die Border (SU-Many Hearts Die set). Designer Paper from my stash, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Puffy Heart Stickers, Swiss Dot Embossing Folder & Foam tape.

 

I hope you like this card as much as I do.  Of course being a cat lover this one just made me feel good.

 

 

Fun Challenge with a Friend

 Welcome!

 

Today's post is a super fun one. - I met a fellow stamper, Terri (aka TK from: Time 4 Kards through a blog post about 3-4 years ago.  She lives about an hours drive from where I live.  After exchanging e-mails we eventually decided to meet in person and have been enjoying each others blogs and friendship every since.

This year we decide to start doing card challenges with each other.  For our first challenge we each made a "kit" for each other.  The kits included stamps and paper.  We also made a kit for ourselves of the one we exchanged with each other.  Then we made cards using the kits and today we are posting what we did with each other's kit and our own kit. - Hopefully that makes sense.

This first card is from the Kit that I made up to give to TK.

My kit contained: Images from Unity Stamps, Sending Smiles (Whit Kit/June 2023).  I included 3 stamped sentiments, 2 Hot Air Balloons, 2 pieces of patterned paper, some die cut clouds, Washi Tape and card stock. - I gave her the option of using the card base color or choosing one of her own.  Plus the use of the Washi tape was optional as well.

For my card I used the card base (Real Red - SU).  Then I die cut my patterned paper using a Unity Die (Scallops and Rectangles) I colored the balloon image with Copic markers.  The cloud was also edged with a copic marker.  I used Fishtail dies (MFT Stamps) on the designer paper and sentiment.  Imaged were mounted with foam tape.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now on to the cards I made using the Kit that TK made for me:

I was so lucky to receive this kit.  That Stamp set is called:Inner Flamingo - You can still purchase this HERE.  Such a cute set, plus it had matching dies! - She included some great patterned paper:

Hot Tropics - Honey Bee Stamps (which I believe is now retired).

For this first card I used the Pink Card stock she included and stamped 2 flamingos with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and die cut them out.  Then I highlighted portions of the the flamingo with colored pencils.  I added Melone glitter to the crown (Art Institute).

I used 3 of the patterns of paper that TK asked me to use on this card.  For the green side I embossed that with a tropical leaf embossing folder from my own stuff (Momenta). I layered that over the Red tropical leaf patterned and added a strip of another patterned piece of paper.  I also used that paper to stamp the sentiment on. The patterned pieces were mounted to a black card base.  The flamingos were mounted with foam tape along with the sentiment.  I finished off the card with some red enamel dots (Echo Park).

Here is the 2nd card I made from the kit:

For this card I started with a white card base.  Then I cut out a piece of black card stock with a Unity Scalloped rectangle die.  I used the reverse side of the paper from the first card's sentiment & strip piece.  It had stripes on it.  I layered that on top of the black card stock.  - Then I stamped the Mondo Anthurium (a seperate set that I was given) I used the green card stock TK sent and stamped it with Granny Apple (SU) green ink and cut it out with the matching die.

I stamped the flamingo with Memento Tuxedo ink on the pink card stock and again used colored pencils to highlight areas on the flamingo.  I added some Wink of Stella to the party hat.  Images/Sentiment mounted with foam tape.  Enamels dots were added to complete the card.

 

That's it for my cards.  Don't forget to stop by TK's blog to check out the cards she created with the same kits.  TIME 4 KARDS

Happy Mail

 Hello! - Yes, I'm still here.  With the rush of Christmas over and the start of the New Year I've just not had much time for stamping.

Plus after a fantastic Christmas season without any bad weather we got hit with severe cold, snow & ice.  Now those that know me will understand that winter is NOT my thing. - I tend to get grumpy and depressed and totally unmotivated.  So yes, I've not been in a crafting mood.

However that will soon change as I have been working on some stuff that I will be sharing really soon.

In the meantime I got the "cutest" card from my friend Ann who blogs over at: https://annssnapeditscrap.blogspot.com/

Here is what she sent me:

I loved it.  The sentiment inside just cracked me up because it arrived during some of nasty weather we've been having.  - Now if you want to know what the sentiment was you will have to visit her blog as she made a post about this card.  You can find that post by clicking on the link HERE.  -  How totally fitting that was.

Thank you so much Ann for sending me something fun and cheerful to help brighten up the gloomy winter day.